Superloading automatic change-over device



March 11, 1941. T, A. ST. LA!R 2,234,325

SUPERLOADING AUTOMATIC CHANGE-OVER DEVICE Filed June 29, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTLR T. A. ST. CL/MR March 11, 1941. ST. CLMR 2,234,325

SUPERLOADING AUTOMATIC CHANGE-OVER DEVICE Filed June 29, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 a, j M; Mr

FIG. 4

f @WW INVENTOR T.A. ST. CLAIR Patented Mar. 11, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Theodore A. St. Clair, Pontiac, Mich., assignor to Phillips Petroleum Company, a corporation of Delaware Application June 29, 1939, Serial No. 281,968

17 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in devices for automatically changing withdrawal connections. from one source of high pressure gas to another upon decrease in pressure in the first 5 source.

Liquefied petroleum gas, such as propane, butane, or a mixture of the two, is now being marketed extensively in tanks or cylinders. In making use of this liquefied gas for operating gas consuming appliances, such as domestic gas ranges, it is customary to provide the customer with two containers with some means of connecting them to a service line through a suitable arrangement of valves and pressure regulators. The usual procedure is to use one of the cylinders as the active source of the gas supply, keeping the other cylinder as a reserve source until the first cylinder is exhausted. It is then necessary to cut ofi the exhausted source and establish connection with the reserve source. In prior practice, the valve on the active cylinder was opened while the valve on the reserve cylinder was kept closed. When the gas in the active cylinder became exhausted the valve on that cylinder was closed and the valve on the reserve cylinder opened. The disadvantage of this system was that the customer had to go to the place where the cylinders were housed, usually outside, and change the valves each time one of the containers became depleted. Sometimes, a container became depleted at night or while the customer was not home and the result was that there was a cessation in the gas supply and all pilot lights were extinguished. Recently there have been developed various systems equipped with so-called automatic valves, whereby upon the pressure in the active container becoming 'low, the vapor in the reserve container will be drawn upon but the valve must be reset for a second cycle. For some time it has been desirable to produce a fully automatic chan e-over device that does not have to be previously set manually before it efiects a change-over of withdrawal connections. 45 An important object of this invention is to provide an improved automatic change-over device that will be entirely automatic in its operation.

An additional object is to provide a novel in- 50 dicating device to indicate which cylinder is being drawn upon to supply gas.

,Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description and in the accompanying drawings. Referring to the 55 drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation view showing the present invention used in connection with a. two-'- drum system of liquefied gas distribution.

Figure 2 is a vertical cross-section through the center of a gas pressure regulator with provision for superloading.

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section through the automatic change-over device with associated parts in elevation. v

Figure 4 is a vertical cross-section through-the center of the automatic change-over device with a second stage regulator in elevation.

Referring to Figure 1:. y

In Figure 1 reference numerals I and -l' indir cate containers for liquefied gas. Gas pressure f regulators 2, 2' and conduits 3,- 3' connect the containers for gas flow to the changeover device 4 from ,whence the gas goes to a second stage or system regulator 5 and then intothe consumers service line 6 which conveys the gas to the points or utilization in gas consuming appliances. Conduits I, I constitute part of the automatic change-over by conveying gas under pressure to regulators 2 as a superloading medium. An indicator is shown at- 8 which operates in conjunction with the changeover device to show which container is supplying the gas.

In Figure 2, a portion of a high pressure gas" container is designated by reference numeral I, while l2 represents the interior of this container. An annular ring I3 having a shoulder I4 is attached to the container at i5. Ring I3 is tapped to receive a plug member I6 which is drilled and tapped to contain a valve ll of the tire valve core type. Directly above the tire valve core stem I8 is a push-pin l9. Concentric with push-pin I9 is a tube 20 of suflicient diameter inside to provide an annular passageway 2|. Concentric with tube 20 is a connector 22 having its lower portion externally threaded to engage an upper tapped portion of plug member I. Connector 22 bears against a shoulder on tube 20 forcing it against resilient gasket 23 and forming a gas-tight connection between tube 20 and plug member l6. This valve and push-pin construction is substantialiy as disclosed in the co-pending application of Kenneth R. Lewis, Serial No. 201,581, filed April 12, 1938.

A regulator housing comprising a. body 24 and a cover 25 is provided with a flexible diaphragm 26 dividing the housing into two compartments, namely, a fluid compartment 21 and a loading compartment 28. Fluid compartment 21 is in communication with tube 2. and is provided with an outlet port 29. Loading compartment 28 contains an expansion spring 39 and is provided with a port 3|. Gas may be introduced through port 3| into the loading compartment. When the pressure in the loading compartment is above atmospheric, .the regulator is herein described as being superloaded.

In operation, the compression spring 38 exerts a pressure upon diaphragm 26. The resulting downward thrust of the diaphragm is transmitted through push-pin I9 and valve stem |8 to the valve l1, actuating the same. High pressure gas in container passes upwardly through the valve, in which its pressure is reduced by throttling action, through the annular passageway 2| to the fluid compartment 21, and thence out of the fluid compartment through outlet port 29.

Should the pressure in the fluid compartment become excessive, the diaphragm will be forced in an upward direction allowing the push-pin |9 to move upwardly, which in turn will release valve valve stem l8 and allow\valve H to close.

stem l8, allowing the valve I! to close. The

.valve will remain closed until the pressure in the fluid-compartment drops to a point where the compression spring is enabled to force the diaphragm and plunger downward, reopening the valve. Constant withdrawal of vapor through outlet port 29 usually results in a throttling action by valve H to maintain a constant pressure in fluid compartment 21.

Loading compartment 28 provides a means of changing the pressure in the fluid compartment 21 and hence the discharge pressure of the regulator. When compartment 28 is vented to the atmosphere, through port 3|, a' definite fluid pressure will be required in compartment 21 to force diaphragm 26 upward sufliciently to relieve This pressure will be referred to hereinafter as the lower pressure level. If gas under pressure is introduced through port 3| to loading compartment 28 a super-atmospheric pressure willbe built up in the loading compartment, superloading the regulator. This super-atmospheric pressure will act on the top of diaphragm 26. Therefore, a higher pressure will be required in the fluid chamber to effect closure of valve since the diaphragm must be forced upward against the combined pressures exerted by the spring and the superloading medium. This discharge pressure will be referred to hereinafter as the higher pressure level.

The construction of the device, as shown, is such that the assemblies on each'side of body member are structurally identical. To avoid confusion, the elements making up one of these assemblies will be described; primed reference numerals refer to like elements in the other assembly.

In Figure 3 is shown a housing, comprising a central body member 35, a left end member 36 and a right end member 36', is provided with suitable diaphragms 31 and 31' between the body member and each end member forming service compartments 38 and 38'-and control compartments'39 and 39'. shaped to provide valve compartments 42 and 42'. Service compartment 38 is provided with an inlet in communication with conduit 3, and an outlet 4| having a raised nozzle or valve seat 44. Outlets 4| and 4| are in communication with customer's service line through passageway 65 and second stage regulator 5. A passage 66 in End members 36 and 36' are body member 35intercepts passage 65 and is tapped at 61 to receive. a coupling to a suitable pressure indicator not shown in the drawings. Control compartment 39 is in communication with conduit 3 through passage 45. Control compartment 39 contains a compression spring 43 and a valve stem 46. Valve stem 46 which is square orhexagonal passes through a sleeve 41 of suflicient inside diameter to provide a passageway 52 between the .valve stein and its internal wall connecting control compartment 39 with valve compartment 42. Valve stem 46 where it contacts diaphragm 31 is not attached thereto. A plug member 48 contains a passageway 5| to receive tube 50. Passage 49 connects the valve compartment 42 with conduit I. Valve seats 53 and 54 are formed on sleeve 41 and plug 48 respectively. A plunger 55 is slidably mounted in compartment 42, the plunger being hexagonal in cross-section to allow flow of gas past it. This plunger is provided with resilient disks or valve faces 56 and5'l which co-act with valve seats 53 and 54.

Indicating device 8 comprises a housing 60 vented to the atmosphere, a fan member 6| having two blades 62 and 62' and being pivotally mounted on pin 63. Two nozzles 64 and 64', formed by extension of tubes and 50' into housing 60, are set to direct any gas passing through them against fan blades 62 and 62'.

In operation, a charged container is connected with regulator 2. Loading compartment 28 is at atmospheric pressure, so regulator 2 dis-' charges gas through outlet 29 at its lower pressure level. This gas passes through conduit 3 entering compartment 38 through inlet 40 and compartment 39 through inlet 45'. Pressure built up in compartment 39 will tend to seat diaphragm 31' on nozzle 44' and the spring 43 will seat valve face 56' on valve seat 53, thereby effectively sealing ofi passages 4| and 52'. Passageway 5| is open to valve compartment 42', thereby establishing communication between conduit 1' and indicator 8. As pressure builds up in compartment'38, diaphragm 31 will be forced to the left, compressing spring 43 leaving exit port 4| open so gas may flow to the customers appliances. At the same time the action of valve stem 46 will force plunger to the left seating gasket 51 on seat 54, sealing oil passageway 5|. Gasket 56 will be forced away from valve seat 53, opening annular passage 52, thereby establishing communication between conduit 3' and conduit 1. 1

Container is now connected to regulator 2. Loading compartment 28' is open to th atmosphere through conduit I, valve chamber 2', tube 50', and indicator 8 which is .vented to the atmosphere. Regulator 2 will discharge gas at its lower pressure level. Gas from regulator 2' enters service compartment 38' through inlet 40' and control compartment 39 through passage 45. Since passage 4| is sealed, gas will flow through compartment 39, annular passage 52, passageway .49, conduit 1 and into loading compartment 29 of regulator 2. As the pressure builds up in loading compartment 28 the discharge pressure of over mechanism. Container i will continue to s pply as to the appliances holding container I in reserve until container is depleted. -When phragm 31' l to the atmosphere.

the pressure in container I drops to the point where it will no longer maintain a discharge pressure above the lower pressure level, diaphragm 31 will move to the right, allowing spring 43 to move valve stem 46 and plunger 55 to the right, closing off annular passage 52. This action will unseat gasket 51 from valve seat 54 and allow the small amount of compressed gas in loadin compartment 28 to escape thr'ough conduit I, valve compartment 42, and tube to indicator 8 where it is directed through nozzle 64 against blade 63 throwing the fan member 6| to the right, indicating that a change-over has taken place. As the pressure in compartment 39' decreases, diaphragm 31' will move to the right to its intermediate position, opening exit port 4| and allowing gas to be withdrawn from container I' to the customer's gas appliances. The pressure gauge, not shown in the drawings, will inform the customer that gas is being withdrawn from the reserve container.

When depleted container I is disconnected from the system conduit 3 and compartments 38 and 39' drop to atmospheric pressure. Since compartments 39 and 38' are at the lower pressure level, there is a pressure differential present across the diaphragms. Diaphragm 31 is merely pressed more firmly against nozzle 44 but diais moved to the extreme right comthe same time the action force plunger to the pressing spring 43'. At of valve stem 46' will right seating gasket 51' on seat 54', sealing off passageway 5|. Gasket 56 will be forced away from valve seat 53', opening annular passage 52, thereby establishing communication between conduit 3' and conduit 1.

Container I is then replaced with a charged container, the charged container being connected to regulator 2. Loading compartment 28 is open to the atmosphere through conduit 1,valve chamber 42, tube 50, and indicator 8 which is vented Regulator 2 will discharge gas at its lower pressure level which in turn will superload regulator 2. There will be no change take place in the change-over device and container I will therefore be held in reserve until container I' is depleted, whereupon the changeover device will automatically; make a changeover of withdrawal connections from container I to container I, thus beginning a new cycle of operations, as described in detail above. The amount of gas discharged through nozzles 64 and 64' at the time ofthe change-over is very small and only suflices to throw the indicator back and forth.

While I have shown the diaphragm acting as a valve face and seating directly on the nozzle to form an outlet valve, it is apparent that various types of valves might be used to produce the same result. It is also obvious that the two first stage regulators might be built integral with the change-over mechanism.

It is understood that the form of my invention described herein is by way of example of a preferred embodiment and that various changes may be made in size, shape and arrangement of parts withoutdeparting from;t he spirit of my invention as expressed in the claims.

I claim:

1. A system for storing and utilizing high pressure gas comprising a pair of containers for the gas, a consumers service line, a conduit connecting each container to the consumer's service line, a gas pressure regulator associated with each conduit for controlling the pressure of the gas drawn from the container connected to that conduit, each gas pressure regulator having a minimum outlet pressure, control means associated with each regulator for changing the outlet pressure and means actuated by change in gas pressure in the other conduit for actuating the control means.

2. A system for storing and utilizing high pressure gas comprising a pair of containers for the gas, a consumers service line, gas withdrawal conduits connecting the containers to the service line, gas pressure operated means exposed to pressure difierential between the gas withdrawal conduits, and valve means operable by the gas pressure operated means to selectively connect one of the containers to the service line while disconnecting the other.

3. A system for storing and utilizing high pressure gas comprising a pair of containers for the gas, a consumers service line, gas withdrawal conduits connecting the containers to the service line, a valve controlling each withdrawal conduit, gas pressure operated means operating the valves, a second valve for each conduit between the first claimed valve and the service line, and a second gas pressure operated means for controlling the second valve in response to pressure differential between the outlet sides of the first claimed valves.

4. A system for storing and utilizing high pressure gas comprising a pair of containers for the gas, a consumers service line, gas withdrawal conduits connecting the containers to the service line, a valve controlling each withdrawal conduit, gas pressure operated means operating the valves to give a low pressure on the outlet side of the valves, control means associated with the gas operated means, operation of which results in a high pressure on the outlet side of the valve, a second valve for each conduit between the first claimed valve and the service line, a second gas pressure operated means for controlling the second valve in response to pressure differential between the outlet sides of the first claimed valves, and a control conduit connecting each control means with the outlet side of the .other first claimed valve.

.5. A system for storing and utilizinghigh pressure gas comprisinga pair of containers for the gas, a consumers service line, gas withdrawal conduits connecting the containers to the service line, avalve controlling each withdrawal conduit, gas pressure operated means operating the valves to give low pressure on the outletside of the valve, control means associated with the-gas operated means, operation of which results in a high pressure on the outlet side of the valve,- a second valve for each conduit between the first claimed valve and the service line, a second gas pressure operated means for controlling the second valve in response to pressure difierential between the outlet sides of the first claimed valves, a control conduit-connecting each control means with the outlet side of the other first claimed valve, a valve for each control conduit operated by the second gas pressure operated means to operate the control means.

. 6. A system for storing and utilizing high pressure gas comprising a pair of containers for the gas, a consumers service line ges withdrawal conduits connecting the containers to-the service line, a changeover valve in each withdrawal conduit, and diaphragms for operating the change-over valves, one side or each second dia phragm being in communication with one with trol conduits connecting each gas compartment and the withdrawal conduit associated with the opposite regulator diaphragm.

8. A system for storing and utilizing high pressure gas comprising a pair of containers for the .gas, a consumers service line, a conduit connecting each container with the service line, a valve controlling each conduit and having aninlet side and an outlet side, a diaphragm for operating the valve to give a minimum pressure on the outlet side of the valve, loading means associated with the diaphragm to give a maximum pressure, second conduits connecting each loading means with the outlet side of the valve controlling the other conduit, valve means controlling the second conduits operative to close one second conduit and open the other.

9. A system for storing and utilizing high pressure gas comprising a pair of containers for the gas, a consumer's service line, a conduit connecting each container: withthe service line, a valve controlling each conduit andhaving an inlet side and an,0utlet side, a diaphragm for operating the valve to give a constant minimum pressure on the outlet side of the valve, loading means associated with the diaphragm to give a constant maximum pressure, and means operative on replacement of a'depleted container with -a container of the gas to actuate the loading means associated with the other container.

10. A system for storing and utilizing high pressure gas comprising a plurality of containers for the gas, a consumer's service line, a conduit connecting each container with the consumer'sservice line, a valve having an inlet side and an outletside, a diaphragm having one side in communication with the outlet side of each valve, movement of the diaphragm serving to operate the valve, and means for applying the pressure present on the outlet side of another valve to the opposite side of the diaphragm.

11. A system for storing and utilizing high pressure gas comprising a plurality of containers for the gas, a consumer's service line, a conduit connecting each container with the consumer's service line, a valve having an inlet side and an outlet side, a diaphragm having one side in communication with the outlet side of each valve, movement of the diaphragm serving to operate the valve, a second conduit connecting the outlet side of another valve to the .opposite side of each diaphragm and valve means in the second conduits operative in response to change in pressure to close all but one of the second conduits.

12. A system for storing and utilizing high pressure gas comprising a pair of containers for the gas, a consumer's service line, a conduit connecting' each container with the service line, a valve controlling each conduit and having an inlet side and an outlet side, a diaphragm for operating the valve to give a constant minimum pressure on the outlet side of the valve, loading means associated with the diaphragm toglve a constant maximum pressure, and means for operating the loading means in response to increase in pressure at the outlet side of the other'valve.

13. A system for storing and utilizing .high pressure gas comprising a pair of containers for the gas, a consumer's service line, gas withdrawal conduits connecting the containers to the service line, a valve controlling each withdrawal conduit, regulator diaphragms having one side in communication with the withdrawal conduits for operating the valves to give a low pressure on the outlet side of the valve, gas compartments on the other side of the diaphragms, control conduits connecting each gas compartment and the withdrawal conduit associated with the opposite regulator diaphragm, and control conduit valves operated by the second diaphragms to disconnect either gas compartment.

14. A system for storing and utilizing high pressure gas comprising a pair of containers for the gas, a consumer's service line, gas withdrawal conduits connecting the containers to the service line, a valve controlling each withdrawal conduit, regulator diaphragms having one side in communication with the withdrawal conduits for operating the valves to give a low pressure on the outlet side of the valve, gas compartments on the other side of the diaphragms, control conduits connecting each gas compartment and the withdrawal conduit associated with the opposite regulator diaphragm, an exhaust conduit for each gas compartment, and an indicator associated with the exhaust conduits.

15. A system for storing and utilizing high pressure gas comprising a pair of containers for the gas, a consumer's service line, gas withdrawal conduits connecting the containers to the serv-' .ice line, a valve controlling each withdrawal conduit, regulator diaphragms having one-side in communication with the withdrawalconduits for operating the valves to give a low pressure on.

the outlet side of the valve, gas compartments on the other side of the diaphragms, a changeover valve in each withdrawal conduit, second diaphragms for operating the change-over valves, one side of each second diaphragms being in communication with one withdrawal conduit and the other side of the diaphragm with the other withdrawal conduit, and control conduits connecting each gas compartment and the withdrawal conduit associated with the opposite regulator diaphragm.

16. A system for storing and utilizing high pressure gas comprising a pair of containers for the gas, a consumersservice line, gas withdrawal conduits connecting the containers to the service line{ a valve controlling each withdrawal conduit, regulator diaphragms having one side in communication with the withdrawal conduits for operating the valves to give a low pressure on the outlet side of the valve, gas compartments on the other side of the diaphragms, a changeover valve in each withdrawal conduit, second diaphragms foroperating the change-over valves,

one side of each second diaphragm being in com- 'munication with one withdrawal conduit and the other side of the diaphragm with the other withdrawal conduit, control conduits connecting each gas compartment and the withdrawal 'conduit associated with the opposite regulator diaphragm and control conduit valves operated by the second diaphragms to disconnect either' gas compartment.

1'7. A system for storing and utilizing high pressure gas comprising a pair of containers for the gas, a consumer's service line, gas withdrawal conduits connecting the containers to the service line, a valve controlling each withdrawal conduit, regulator diaphragms having one side in communication with the withdrawal conduits for operating the valves to give a. low pressure on the outlet side of the vaive, gas compartments on the other side or the diaphragms, an exhaust conduit for each gas compartment and an indicator associated with the exhaust conduits.

THEODORE A. ST. CLAIR. 

